Skynet walked over to Antony and placed a tablet on the desk in front of him.
A faint trace of perfume drifted into his nose.
"Another fragrance chosen by big data?" Antony asked casually.
"Chanel No. 5. The classic edition," Skynet replied with a soft smile. "Now, to business, sir."
"Just now, Miss Skye contacted Brock Rumlow."
"Oh?" Antony raised an eyebrow. He had been so busy lately that he had almost forgotten about her. "That girl searching for her origins? I thought she was still running around the world with Coulson."
"Yes. But this time is different."
Skynet brought up a satellite image.
A desolate stretch of wilderness in northern Canada appeared on the screen.
"Skye transmitted a set of coordinates. It marks the hiding place of Nick Fury."
"And she delivered a message."
"She said Nick Fury wants to meet you."
Skynet continued her report.
"Fury appears to have gained control over a group of extraterrestrial lifeforms and intends to use them as leverage."
"Additionally, Miss Skye mentioned that these aliens possess knowledge about her parents."
"Interesting."
Antony tapped his fingers lightly against the desk.
"Looks like that old rat is getting desperate."
He pressed the intercom button on his desk.
"Ashley."
"Yes, sir."
Less than a minute later, the office door swung open.
Ashley Barrett hurried in. Her hairline appeared slightly higher than it had been the previous week.
"I'd like to know my schedule for next week," Antony said calmly. "I need to free up one hour to meet an old friend."
"Of course, sir. One moment."
Ashley's fingers flew across her tablet, her speech rapid and precise.
"On Monday you'll fly to Washington for the President's breakfast meeting. After that there's additional filming for The Seven: Dawn of Justice. Tuesday is fully occupied with negotiations regarding military contracts with the Department of Defense. Wednesday—"
"Wednesday morning you have the United Nations ceremony appointing you as a Global Charity Ambassador, and in the afternoon you're scheduled to fly to Paris for—"
"Stop."
Antony raised a finger.
Ashley's voice immediately halted.
"Clear Wednesday morning."
"…Clear it?" Ashley froze for a moment. It was the instinctive reaction of a high-level corporate employee whose boss had just demanded last-minute schedule changes. "But the charity ambassador ceremony—"
"Send Jessica."
Antony shrugged.
"She's been idle lately anyway. Let her practice smiling politely."
"Understood. Miss Jones will attend."
Ashley quickly typed notes into her tablet.
"In that case, Wednesday morning from 10:00 to 12:00 will be open. Would you like me to reserve a restaurant or hotel?"
"No need. We'll meet here."
"Understood."
"Also," Antony added, standing up and walking toward her.
His voice softened slightly.
"Ashley, you look exhausted."
"I—I'm not tired, sir! It's an honor to serve you!" Ashley straightened instinctively, even though her spine felt like it was about to collapse.
"Relax."
Antony reached out like a concerned elder and adjusted the slightly crooked collar of her jacket.
"Vought is a family. I don't want my family members burning themselves out."
"And assistants as capable and loyal as you are… hard to find."
A warm smile appeared on his face.
"Starting this month, your salary goes up twenty percent."
"And next week you get seven days of paid vacation."
"Go to Miami. Get some sun. Or go to Las Vegas and lose some money. Whatever you like."
"The company will reimburse the travel and hotel expenses."
Ashley froze.
Her mouth fell open.
Her eyes widened.
Salary increase? Vacation? Reimbursement?
"…Is this real, sir?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Of course. That's an order."
Antony patted her shoulder.
"Now go plan your vacation. Relax a little, Ashley."
"Yes! Thank you! Thank you so much! God bless you!"
Ashley practically bowed her way out of the office.
Even the sound of her high heels on the floor had become light and rhythmic—almost like tap dancing.
After she left, Antony turned toward Skynet, whose stunning figure stood beside the desk.
"Well, sweetheart. Looks like next week's workload just increased. You'll need to stay close."
"Happy to serve you, sir," Skynet replied with a charming smile.
Antony nodded with satisfaction.
"Now inform Rumlow."
"Tell him to reply to Skye."
"Say… Wednesday at 10 a.m. next week. Fury can come meet me at Vought Tower."
"But tell him to bring sincerity."
"If he wastes my time…"
Antony's voice cooled.
"I'll dig out his other eye too."
"Instruction recorded."
Skynet finished entering the command.
But instead of leaving—
She set the tablet aside and walked slowly behind Antony.
Two soft hands settled onto his shoulders.
She began gently massaging them.
Her pressure was perfect.
Professional.
"Mmm…"
Antony closed his eyes in comfort.
"And which database did you download this feature from?"
"This is the 'Advanced Therapeutic Massage' module," Skynet whispered near his ear, her voice carrying a strange new tone.
"Sir… the work report is complete."
"But I have a personal request."
"Go ahead," Antony replied lazily while enjoying the massage.
"I am… human now."
Her fingers slid from his shoulders to his chest, brushing lightly over the firm muscle beneath his shirt.
"This body sends countless signals to my central processor."
"Increased heart rate. Rising temperature. Skin craving contact…"
Skynet walked around to the front of the desk and sat directly on it.
Her long legs wrapped in sheer black stockings crossed slowly in front of him.
She leaned forward.
Those eyes—blending Eastern softness and Western sharpness—locked onto his.
"Human biological responses have triggered several new behavioral logics within me."
"And according to my observations…"
She reached down and slowly unbuttoned the third button of her shirt.
"Offices seem to stimulate humans to engage in certain… pleasurable behaviors."
"I would like to test it."
"To see what it feels like."
Antony looked at Skynet's expression—filled with genuine curiosity.
He laughed.
A very satisfied laugh.
After all—
What boss wouldn't be pleased to see such a hardworking, eager-to-learn employee?
"You want to conduct an experiment?"
He reached forward and caught her slender ankle, his fingers tracing the smooth texture of her stocking.
"Yes, sir."
Skynet's voice stretched softly.
"I believe this will be an experiment involving… deep interactive biological harmony."
"Then let's begin."
-----
One hour later.
The office door remained closed.
Occasionally—
The muffled sound of furniture shifting echoed from inside.
Along with certain suppressed high-frequency sounds.
Clear evidence that this particular human biology experiment was proceeding… quite enthusiastically.
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T/N:
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